"Vulnerable" Owen Creaney may have been alive for a number of days before dying

A man found dead in a wheelie bin may have been battered before being left to die from his injuries for several days, it has emerged.

The senior PSNI officer investigating the death of Owen Creaney said the “frail” and “vulnerable” 40-year-old fell victim to a “very serious and sustained assault” most likely at the house where he was found in Craigavon, Co Armagh on Saturday afternoon.

But Detective Chief Inspector Richard Campbell said it is possible Mr Creaney “survived for a period of time after the assault” during which time he received no medical attention.

Asked how long the victim may have been alive before he died from his injuries the DCI said the time frame they are looking at is between Wednesday afternoon and Saturday afternoon.

He added that after his death “there was an attempt to conceal Owen’s body by hiding it in a wheelie bin” at a porch at the rear of the house in the town’s Moyraverty Court.

A 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman arrested at the property in the wake of the discovery remain in police custody being questioned today.

Detectives said Mr Creaney, from Craigavon’s Victoria Place, had “mobility issues” and needed a walking frame or stick to move around.

DCI Campbell, the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch, added: “Police were called to 140 Moyraverty Court in Craigavon yesterday afternoon after a report of suspicious activity at the address.

“When officers arrived they found the body of Owen Creaney. It had been placed in a wheelie bin in a porch at the rear of the house.

“Two people in the house were arrested. They are a 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman. They were taken initially to Lurgan police station but have since been transferred to the Serious Crime Suite at Antrim police station where they continue to be questioned.

“A post-mortem examination is taking place at the moment so the cause of death has yet to be determined, but early indications are that he was the victim of a serious and sustained assault.”

Mr Campbell made two specific appeals for information.

He added: “I need to talk to anyone who saw or heard a disturbance or suspicious activity at 140 Moyraverty Court any time between last Wednesday afternoon 2 July and yesterday afternoon, Saturday 5 July.

“I also need to talk to anyone who saw or spoke with Owen during that same period, last Wednesday 2 July and yesterday afternoon.

“Our inquiries are progressing. We are following a number of definite lines of inquiry but we would ask the local community for their assistance and co-operation.

“Anyone with information can call the non-emergency number 101 and ask to speak to detectives at Lurgan police station.

“I would hope that the community would be rightly disgusted by the attempt to conceal Owen’s body after this brutal murder.

“Owen was 40. In fact, he celebrated his 40th birthday last Saturday, 28 June. He was a frail and vulnerable man. Although he was only 40 he had significant mobility issues which meant he required the aid of a walking frame or stick to get about.

“I think it is important for the community to reject this violent assault on Owen and contact police with any information which they have.”